Corn drier



Sept. 27, 1949. o. J. PE'ERsoN CORN DRIER Filed March 26, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mwv Sept. 2'?, 1949. o. .1. PETERSON CORN DRIER l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1948 Fig 6 INVENTOR.

Olaf J. P@ fefsn Patented Sept. 27, 1949 UNITED STATES *PATENT OFFICE l CORN imma; olafJ. Peterson, ZumbrQtaMinn.

ApplcationMar-ch 26, 1948-, SerialfNo. 17,210

(o1. 26a-32m 4 Claims.

Another object of this invention is to withdraw from the dryingchamber, the moisture, given offY by' the wet material and to selectively control theA amount of moisture in the material and the variation of moisture therein..

Another object of'this invention to be; specifi.- cally herein: enumerated isl torprovide: a. drying chamber, kiln` or the like; which. simple in;4

structure, economical to manu-facture, andI dur-A able and reliable-in operation.

A. meritorious feature of this invention.y resides. in` the provision. of a pair' of. inner and outerv drums, the inner drum serving as a drying cham-v ber, within which the material is placed, and. the inner drum extending a. suitable distance beyond ther ends or the outer drum, so as to-obviatethe: possibility of flames. or hot gases entering into the inner drum.

Another important feature of this invention resides the provision of longitudinal spacingl baille members disposed between the concentricv drums, defining individual drying chambers or partitions.

Another important feature. oi this invention resides in the provision of an end extendingY stack, in communication with the drums, with the stack being vertically divided into sections, with dampers disposed in the sections, and an exhaust Ifan transversely mountedI about the sections within the stack,A so that the hot gases are withdrawn from. between the. concentric drums through. one of the stack sections, while. the other section serves as an exit for themoisture, from the inner drum or drying. chamber.

These and ancillary objects and other meritorious features are attained by this invention, a preferred embodiment of which is set forth in the following specication and illustrated' in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal' Ysectional view of a drying kiln, for agricultural material and the like, constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

vtaken substantiallyon the plane of lines. 4 4'` 2. Figure 2e is a. front elevational view of this invention;

Figure 3` is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on lines 3-3' of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse verticalV sectional view of Figure 1;

Figurev 5 isl a fragmentary enlarged' sectional view." of a portion of they concentric drums, il,

lustrating the means provided for spacing the drums apart and dividing the spacement section into; chambers;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view ofthe means provided' forv conducting or conveying heated gases, loetween the'concentric drums,` as shown generally in Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure; 7 is a topv planvew of this invention, and:A

Figure 8 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the roller supports and the annular guide ring, circumferentially disposed on the outer drum; as shown generally in Figure l of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout, there isshown a pairoi longitudinally extending transversely spaced H-shaped base: supports I2 and- M, upon which a drying kiln or the like, generally denoted by the character reference I Il, and constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, isfseated and supported..

`Supported on the longitudinally extending H-. base beams I2 and I4 and transversely extending thereon are a pair of roller support brackets I6 and |18; respectively. The roller support brackets I-'G and Ii8 comprise a cross-beam 20', having disposedon its terminating portions a pair of apertured ears 20 and 22, within which are journalle'd, by means of axle 24, a roller 25 having annular end flanges 28 and 3D, thereby defining a medial guide-way 32.

It is to be noted that the roller support I6 is substantially lower than the roller support I8, thereby dening a tilted or inclined placement of'l the kiln Ill.

An outer cylindrical drum 34 is "rotatably supported upon the roller supports 26, by means of circumferentially disposed longitudinally spaced substantially H-shaped' rollers 36' and 38, the rollers being received within the medial guideway 32 of the rollers 26 andsuitably supported therein. By providing a medial recessed guideway 32 on the rollers 26, it can be Vseen that the drum 34 is supported in secure placement and the tendency of the annular rollers 36 and 38 to move ofi of the rollers is obviated.

suitably supported on the base support |2 by means of a U-shaped transverse bar 40, having depending lateral seat portions 42 and 44 which are bolted as at 46 to the supports is a motor 48, bolted as at 56 to the U-shaped bracket. The motor 48 is of conventional structure and description and has extendingtherefrom an armature shaft 52, upon which is suitably keyed a gear drive 54. An annular ring gear 56 is suitably secured on the circumference of the outer drum 34 and is engaged by the drive gear 54, thereby imparting rotation to the drum 34.

Concentrically disposed within the outer drum 34 is an inner or drying drum 60, which is suitably spaced from the outer drum 34, by means of ture, which accumulates within the drying chamber 60, coincident to the wet material within the interior of the drying chamber and the heat conveyed on the outer circumference of the drying chamber is withdrawn.

The means preferred comprises an end stack |20, which includes a spaced end shield |22, having a suitable chute opening |24 disposed at the end thereof, whereby the,..material may be provided an exit from the drying chamber 60 and may be conducted or conveyed to an endless bucket elevator, generally denoted by the numeral |26, which is disposed in spaced proximity to the discharge chute |24. One end |26 of the discharge the extending end 12 of the drying chamber 60 longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced baffle beams 62, which define compartments 64, between the concentric cylindrical drums, fora purpose to be later described.

Suitably secured to the inner circumference of the drying drum or chamber 60 and extending longitudinally therein are angle beams 66 having one side secured to the interior of the drum, as

by rivets or bolts 68.

With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, it

is to be noted that the inner drum'or'chamber 60 has its annular terminal portions 10 and 12 longitudinally extended beyond theV terminating por--Y tions of the outer drum 34 for a purpose to be later described. J i

Positioned at the open end 10 of the inner drum 60 is a supply or intake chute 16, which is'verti= v cally supported in an upraised positionV on the base beams 2 and I4, by means of legs 13 and 80,V

inner drum 66, at the terminating portion 10 of' the inner drying chamber 60 by means of an annular stationary bearing ring 94, which is suitably received and supported on the outer circumference of the drying chamber and upon which the terminating portions of the outer chamber 34 are secured, as at 96.

Suitably supported on the extending base beam' l2, as by means of substantially U-shaped transverse bar |00, having lateral foot portions |62,

which are bolted by bolts |04 tothe base supports,

is an oil burner unit |06, of conventional structure and including an oil feed line |68 and a discharge nozzle H6. The discharge nozzle ||B is received within an intermediate conveying or con-` ducting tube ||2, the opposite end of the tube I2, with reference to Figure 6 of the drawings, being angularly bent and suitably received between the inner drying drum 60 and the outer drum 34, and is inserted within the permanent annular ring 94, thel annular ring 94 being securely supported on the support bar I4, which is bolted as at ||6 to the base beams |2 and I4.

Suitable means are provided whereby the heated gases, which are conveyed through the connecting tube ||2 into the separate chambers. or partitions 64, formed by the dividing baffle 62, between the inner and outer drums, and also, suitable means are provided whereby the moisis seated thereon. The annular support |28 is bolted as at |36 to a transverse support base |32, the bearing support having a laterally extending portion |34, which forms an annular attaching lip received around the outer drum 36. Formed integrally with the ring |34 and extending vertically therefrom is a'front' portion |36 of the stack |26;`

the stack including the sidewall |38( Disposed within the stack |20 isa vertical'partition |40, having its depending end angularly bent and seated loosely upon the extendingend 12 of the drying chamber 66, thedepending end |42 being formed integrally with the inner end |26 of the secured supporting Vannular ring, received around the extending portion 12 of the inner drying chamber 66. The vertical partition |46 defines a pair'of vertical chambers |44 andY on the Vextending portion thereof, in complementary engagement with a bevel gear |50, carried by a transverse shaft |60, which protrudes. through the end wall |22 of the stack |20, suitable bearings or bushings |62 being provided on the shaft |60, the shaft extending'from the motor |62 of conventionall structure and being driven thereby.

The motor |62 is suitably supported on the outside of the Stack |20, on the end wall |22` thereof by an angular bracket |64, secured to the end wall |22 as by bolts |24, with a brace bar |66 being provided to rigidify the anglesupport.

tracks 36 and 38, which are received in the rol-A lers 26.

As the outer drum 34 revolves, the inner drum revolves unitarily therewith, with the material being suitably agitated or shaken `up by means of the agitating members 68, which radially project from theinner circumference of. the dryingw chamber 60, towards the inner portions thereof.

As the concentric ,drums revolve, with theY material inside. an oil burner unit |06 is placed ascesa@ in operation, and the hot gases are conveyed through the conductingtube H2y into the individual longitudinalcompartments 64 disposed between the concentric drumsf and thereby, the outer surface. of the drying chamber 6|! is suitably heatedi and accordingly,A thel material housed therein is responsively dried.

^ Due to the extension of the inner drum 6.0' at both its ends, which are. positioned beyond the terminating portions of the outer drum 34 and due to the vertical partitioning of the stack |20, which partition seats upon the outer -extremity of the drying chamber 60, the hot gases which are projected through the compartment 64 are drawn off through the separate vertical compartment |44, through the medium of the exhaust fan |54 and controlled in their exit by butterfly damper |50. Thus, it can be seen that as the hot gases are never in contact with the extreme -ends of the inner drying chamber and accordingly, it is not possible for the material within the drying chamber to become ignited due to contact with the hot gases or flames.

The adjacent vertical compartment |46 in the stack serves to provide an exit for the moisture given off from the produce in contact with the heated drum and the moisture is suitably exhausted from the inner drum through the compartment |46, controlled by the damper |48, through the medium of the exhaust fan |54.

The dried material is suitably discharged through the discharge spout or chute |24, which conveys the material to an endless bucket elevator |26, disposed in vertically spaced proximity thereto.

It is to be noted that the variation of moisture removed from the corn may be suitably controlled by the vertical adjustment of the drying drum within the outer drum, by raising or lowering one end thereof, and accordingly, regulating the heat and the ow of the material therethrough.

Thus, it can be seen that there is provided a drying kiln, which will accommodate any desired amount of material and which will conveniently and easily, in a minimum of time and with a minimum of effort expended, dry the material, at any desired degree, and at the same time, remove any possibility that the material may become ignited through contact with the hot gases or flames.

Since many other modifications and purposes of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art, upon a perusal of the foregoing specication, in view of the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that certain changes, not amounting to invention, may be effected thereon, without constituting a departture from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

l. A material drying kiln comprising a pair of base supports, rollers mounted on said supports, a prime mover, having a gear drive, mounted on said supports, a pair oi inner and outer drums, annular guides received on the circumference oi he outer drum and seated in said rollers, an annular ring gear disposed on the circumference of the outer drum and actuated by said drive gear, supply chute supported adjacent an end of the drums, a series of longitudinal agitating elements carried by said inner drum, a blower burner unit disposed under said supply chute, a connecting tube attached to said burner and received between said drums, a discharge chute carried' byV said inner drum, an end shield coveringv said drums, an exl'iaustl sta-ck supported by said end shield land the outer drum, said stack being vertically dividedY into v sections,'dampers supported said sections,v andan exhaust fan operatively disposed in said stack. A

2. A material drying kiln comprising a sup- A porting base, rollers rotatably mounted on said pasea prime mover mounted on said base', apair orf concentrically disposed spaced inner and outer drums revolvably supported on said base and driven by said prime mover, said inner drum extending beyond the outer drum at the opposing ends thereof, a supply means disposed at one end oi the drums for discharging material into the inner drum, a burner unit disposed under said supply means, means for conducting hot gas from the unit between the drums, a shield disposed at the disch-arge end of the inner drum, a discharge chute carried by said shield, a stack vertically mounted on the inner and outer drums at the discharge end, a vertical partition in said stack deiining a passage for the inner drum and a passage for the outer drum, means disposed in said stack for exhausting the gases from between the drums and the moisture from the inner drum, control means disposed in each of the passages.

3. A material drying kiln comprising a horizontally positioned supporting base, a prime mover mounted on said base, a pair of concentrically disposed cylindrical drums rotatably mounted in an inclined plane on said base and driven by said prime mover, the opposing ends of said drums being open and said inner drum having its ends extended beyond the ends of the outer drum, spacing means between said drums, a supply means disposed at one end of the drums for discharging material into the inner drum, a burner unit disposed below the supply means, means for conducting hot gas from the unit between the drums, a shield covering one end of the inner drum, a discharge chute carried by said shield, a stack vertically disposed at the discharge end of the drums and formed on the shield and mounted on the outer drum, a vertical partition in said stack dening a passage for the inner drum and a passage for the outer drum, an exhaust ian disposed in said stack above the partition, dampers in said passages and agitating means disposed in said inner drum.

e. A material drying kiln comprising a horizontally positioned supporting base, a prime mover mounted on said base, a pair of concentrically disposed cylindrical drums rotatably mounted in an inclined plane on said base and driven by said prime mover, the opposing ends of said drums being open and said inner drum having its ends extended beyond the ends of the outer drum, spacing means between said drums, a supply means disposed at one end of the drums for discharging material into the inner drum, a burner unit disposed below the supply means, means for conducting hot gas from the unit between the drums, a shield covering one end of the inner drum, a discharge chute carried by said shield, a stack vertically disposed at the discharge end of the drums and formed on the shield and mounted on the outer drum, a vertical partition in said stack defining a passage for the inner drum and a passage for the outer drum, an exhaust fan disposed in said stack above the partition, dampers in said passages and longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced agitating 7 bars mounted on the inner surface of the inner Number drum. 711,027 OLAF J. PETERSON. 1,175,944 1,358,327 REFERENCES CITED 5 1,399,503 The following references are of record in the 1,584,331 le of this patent: UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,265,358 Y Number Name Date 10 1,286 Else Aug. 14, 1839 8 Name Date Wallace Oct. 14, 1902 Ford et al Mar; 21, 1916 Reecke Nov. 9, 1920 McCrae Dec. 6, 1921 Krebs May 11, 1926 Johnson Sept. 5, 1933 Brown Oct. 15, 1940 Denning Dec. 9, 1941 

